Native Americans
Nez Perce Historical Park Visitor Center and Museum

The Visitor Center and Museum sits on the Spalding Site where the Spalding Mission was built in 1837 amidst the Nez Perce people and where a variety of archeological remains and historic resources still exist. It's located about 11 miles east of Lewiston, ID alongside Highway 95 at the juncture of Lapwai Creek and the Clearwater River. This is one of 38 sites of the Nez Perce National Historical Park and serves as the Park Headquarters.

The Spalding Visitor Center/Museum is an excellent place to begin exploring the Nez Perce culture and National Historical Park. It contains the Park's primary museum collection of approximately 150,000 pieces and is used by many for research in addition to displaying numerous items of tribal origin dating to the mid-1800s. Woven bags of hemp and cornhusk, baskets, beautifully beaded buckskin clothing and painted parfleches, plus items for hunting, can be seen and are artfully displayed on both horse and human manikins.

The Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) exhibit in the Interpretive Center includes several items important to the Nez Perce lifestyle.

Another room displays many early photos and runs a 20-minute movie to better acquaint visitors with Nez Perce history. This modern, air-conditioned building also features a large central room with more displays, a small gift selection, and with knowledgeable personnel to provide answers about the museum or the Historical Park.

A road leads down to site of the Spalding Mission where an Indian agency cabin from 1862 still remains plus the agent's residence and the archeological remains of a gristmill and sawmill from 1840. The old Spalding Cemetery adjoins a park-like setting and contains the headstone and burial site of the Reverend Henry Spalding.

For additional information about the Nez Perce Tribe, see their official website at www.nezperce.org.

For additional information about Nez Perce Historic National park, visit the official website at www.nps.gov/nepe/index.htm.

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